27 February 2023
South Shropshire households to benefit from Government Support

South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne today welcomed the opportunity for remaining households to apply for the £400 energy support.

Households who do not have a direct relationship to an energy supplier, can now apply online to receive the support as a one-off, non-repayable grant under the ‘alternative funding’ route of the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme

To ensure payments are provided quickly and accessibility payments will be delivered to constituent’s bank accounts following cross checking from Shropshire Council.

To date over £7.2 billion has been provided so far to 97% of households across UK through monthly instalments, which most households receive automatically in the same way they pay these bills.

The alternative funding is to make sure the same level of support reaches those without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier or are off grid.

A telephone helpline is also available from today for people without access to the internet to apply for the payment.

You may be eligible to apply if your main home is:

  • a residential park home
  • on a boat on a permanent residential mooring
  • part of a heat network without an electricity meter
  • in social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply
  • off the mains electricity or gas grid
  • in a care home or assisted living facility and you pay for some or all your care (directly or through loss of pension or other benefits)
  • in a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop)

Commenting on today’s announcement Philip Dunne said:

“I have been pressing the Energy Minister before Christmas to ensure that those households who have missed out up until now will receive the £400 help towards reducing energy bills this winter to ensure they receive equivalent support.

“I know this has been incredibly complex to ensure payments can be made to those eligible while avoiding the risk of fraud.

“I know there are many constituents living in park homes, caravans, farmhouses where the bill is paid by the business and a small number in remote properties who are neither on the gas or electricity grid who have missed out.

“This scheme which has just gone live as we go through another cold spell will be a real help to those struggling to meet their energy costs this winter. I urge everyone eligible to apply via the www.gov.uk portal.  Those who cannot apply online can apply by phone or to seek assistance.”

“Alternative Fuel Payment

“The Government has also introduced a separate Alternative Fuel Payment of £200 to support households who use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal or biomass, to heat their homes.

“These households will be able to apply via the same www.gov.uk portal as the one that will be used to apply for support under the EBSS Alternative Fuel scheme in March.”